Commonwealth leaders pledge continued unity and to empower youth

AheadoftheCoronation, Leaders of Commonwealth member states met with HM King Charles III at Marlborough House, the Headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat. After their meeting with the King, leaders from the Commonwealth’s 56 member states then met privately to discuss issues of mutual interest, including initiatives to support the empowerment of young people, as this year has been d e s i g n a t e d t h e Commonwealth Year of Paul Kagame, in his role as Youth. Chair-in-Office of the

The King has described Commonwealth, also the Commonwealth as a addressed the meeting. He ‘cornerstone’ of his life, welcomed the leaders of the expressing his unwavering two newest Commonwealth support for the values, countries and paid tribute to people and countries of the the new Commonwealth Commonwealth. Head President Kagame

At their Heads of also said, “We appreciate the Government Meeting in King’s lifelong devotion to 2018, Commonwealth Commonwealth affairs, just Leaders decided that he as we remember the role of would succeed Her Majesty her late Majesty, Queen Queen Elizabeth II as Head Elizabeth II, in giving the of the Commonwealth, and modern Commonwealth its he acceded to the role upon shapeandspirit.” herdeathinSeptember2022. H i s H i g h n e s s

DuringFriday’smeeting, Tuimalealiifano Va’aleto’a the King greeted the leaders SualauviII,theHeadofState warmly and posed with them of Samoa also attended the for a commemorative family event as the incoming photograph. Later that day, Commonwealth Chair-inleaders will also attend a Office. reception at Buckingham In 2024, Samoa will PalacehostedbytheKing. succeed Rwanda as chair at C o m m o n w e a l t h the 27th Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Heads of Government

Hon. Patricia Scotland KC, Meeting (CHOGM) in Apia, said: thecapitalcity

“I can think of no Alongside the Leaders stronger signal of His M e e t i n g , t h e Majesty’sdeepconnectionto Commonwealth Secretariat our Family of Nations than alsohostedagatheringofthe taking time to meet with spouses, partners and the Commonwealth Leaders at i n v i t e d g u e s t s o f Marlborough House ahead Commonwealth Heads of of his Coronation. Earlier Government The event, this year, the King which was hosted by Mrs h i g h l i g h t e d t h e Jeannette Kagame, the First Commonwealth’s ‘near- Lady of Rwanda, focused on boundless potential as a the action needed to forceforgood’. accelerate the elimination of

DuringFriday’smeeting, cervical cancer and tackle leaders reaffirmed their challenges impeding unwavering and unified progress towards this goal c o m m i t m e n t t o t h e across the Commonwealth. continued strengthening of The spouses and partners in our Commonwealth family attendance pledged to and assuring its future by champion advocacy and investing in the 1.5 billion action in their respective young people across our 56 countries. nations. The year also marks the

The Secretary-General tenth anniversary of the o b s e r v e d t h a t t h e s i g n i n g o f t h e Commonwealth is growing Commonwealth Charter, in size, scale and influence, which reaffirms the values especially as the event also and principles of the welcomed the leaders of Commonwealthaswellasits Togo and Gabon, who aspirations.As well as being attended their first meeting designated the Year of the of Commonwealth Leaders Youth, 2023 is also being today m a r k e d a s t h e he President of Commonwealth Year of Rwanda, His Excellency Peace.